
Step 1. Should I claim when I am not at fault and insured?
When you might claim with your own insurer The factors that may lead you to claim with your own insurer may include:
- you have an Agreed Value policy, which means your insurer will pay you more than what you could pursue from the other party in damages;
- you have a generous hire car benefit under your insurance policy;
- the other party:
- is not insured;
- cannot be found;
- won’t admit fault; or
- won’t tell you who their insurer is.
- may need to pay an excess (even if you are not at fault);
- may need to pay the remaining portion of your insurance premium if your car is a total loss and you have been paying monthly premiums;
- are subject to your contract of insurance about how the vehicle may be repaired or written off;
- are subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance, including any no claim bonuses; and
- may have higher premiums moving forward, and having too many claims can impact on your ability to get insurance
- the other party admits fault, is claiming on their insurance and tells you who their insurer is;
- their insurer agrees to pay you the repair cost or market value of your vehicle;
- you want to repair your car and if you claim on your insurance your insurer may write off the car; or
- there is only minor damage (which is possibly less than your excess).